Independent journalism on fracking, onshore oil and gas and the reactions to it

July 2018 drilling headlines

Drilling rig at Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road near Blackpool. Photo: Ros Wills

July 2018 sees two hearings at the High Court on protests against injunctions at Cuadrilla and UKOG sites. Ineos also heads to court in the latest hearing in its case against the National Trust. And MPs investigate shale gas development in former mining areas.

You can keep up with the news here with DrillOrDrop’s digest of headlines about fracking, shale and onshore oil and gas, updated daily.

Top headlines this month

Government grants fracking consent for UK’s first horizontal shale gas well at Preston New Road

Cuadrilla granted injunction against protests at Preston New Road fracking site and six campaigners lock-on in first challenge to the order

Six women from Sussex and Surrey challenge UKOG protest injunction – judgement reserved until August

Rig protester loses appeals against conviction

Angus Energy announces high-quality oil at Lidsey and the resignation of the chairman over a shares investigation

UKOG seeks to delay decision on future of Broadford Bridge well

Wales begins consultation on fracking ban

Europa submits third application for the Wressle site near Scunthorpe

Cuadrilla completes second horizontal shale gas well

Government announces consultation on changes to national planning policy on onshore oil and gas

31 July 2018

“Aaron-gate” – Prevent’s latest smearing of legitimate political protest. Netpol reports on criticism of authors of a report on social cohesion in Manchester after falsely accusing anti-fracking activists of grooming a teenage boy.

Environment Agency grants permission for new oil well at Leith Hill and campaigners are furious. Surrey Live picks up news from earlier in the month about the Europa environmental permit. See DrillOrDrop report from 23 July 2018.

M55 hit with anti-fracking graffiti again. The Blackpool Gazette reports on anti-fracking slogans on a bridge over the motorway between junctions 3 and 4. Last week an expletive was sprayed on the bridge, the paper says.

UKOG change of name.Companies House reports that UK Oil & Gas Investments plc has changed its name to UK Oil & Gas PLC

Anti-fracking protesters Vanda Gillet convicted.The York Press reports that Vanda Gillett, 55, was conditionally discharged for six months after being found guilty of obstructing the highway outside Third Energy’s fracking site at Kirby Misperton in October 2017. She denied the offence. She was ordered to pay £120 in costs and surcharge.

30 July 2018

Greater Manchester social cohesion report corrected after falsely accusing anti-fracking campaigners of “grooming” 14-year-old boy. DrillOrDrop report. Uncorrected report quoted by the Telegraph and Guardian and corrected version later by the Guardian

Guest post: Third Energy discusses new North Yorks fracking well with police but not the community. Report for DrillOrDrop by Russell Scott and Melissa Jones of Spinwatch

Coal Authority changes policy on responding to shale gas plans in mining areas. It tells DrillOrDrop it should now be consulted on proposals where there are deep mines, as well as shallow workings.

Regulator issues update on who should drill where and when. DrillOrDrop report

Three more seismic stations installed in Surrey. The British Geological Survey reports that another three seismic monitors are being taken to Surrey today to be deployed during the week. This brings to five the number of monitors to help improve detection and location if there are any more earthquakes in the area around Gatwick.

Anti-frackers furious at government’s fast-track fracking plan. The Chester Chronicle reports comments by Labour Councillor, Matt Bryan, about plans to make shale exploration permitted development and commercial fracking a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. Planning Resource (subscription) reports on the government consultation on the proposals.

North Derbyshire’s MP is calling on local people to make their voices heard in fracking rules consultation.Peak FM reports comments by Conservative MP, Lee Rowley, that local people must be listened to in a consultation on how fracking applications could be decided.

29 July 2018

Ready for fraction – the Tory love-in with frackers and the resistance. Socialist Worker reports on reaction to government approval of fracking at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site.

28 July 2018

Restoration of Wressle oil site not “commercially-viable” while new production plans are pending, says Egdon. Planners recommend approval of 12-month extension of restoration deadline. DrillOrDrop report

YP Letters: Water shortages vindicate fracking opponents. Anne Nightingale, writing in the Yorkshire Post, says we should be protecting water supplies for food and the public, not for another fossil fuel industry. David Cragg-James, in the same paper, says of the announcement of fracking consent in Lancashire:

“One’s disgust is matched only by one’s anger at the stupidit, cupidity and avarice which keeps these puppets tied to the fossil fuel industry.”

27 July 2018

BP buys US shale assets for $10bn. BBC News reports that BP is buying US shale assets as the higher oil price makes new extraction techniques more attractive again. This is the company’s largest purchase since the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico. It is described as a “transformational acquisition”. Guardian, Telegraph

Blackpool Gazette, 27 July 2018

Shale gas job numbers blast. The Blackpool Gazette reports Blackpool South MP, Gordon Marsden has “rubbished the fracking company Cuadrilla’s claims that it has boosted the local economy by investing £10m and creating employment locally. He said:

“£10m is not a lot of investment in Lancashire when compared to the cost of policing the operation and the cost to the local economy caused by the inconvenience.”

Councillor calls on Cheshire East to make plans to tackle fracking firms. The Nantwich News reports that Labour councillor, Nick Mannion, told a meeting of Cheshire East Council that members should challenge the government over its policy to make decisions on fracking sites that go against the wishes of communities and local planning authorities.

UK fracking go-ahead further chills the renewables sector. The Ecologist reports that government approval of fracking undermines its commitments to tackle climate change and reduce fossil fuel use.

Consultation opens on Nottinghamshire Draft Minerals Local Plan.Nottinghamshire County Council announces the consultation runs until 28 September 2018.

Associations of unconventional natural gas development with depression symptoms and disordered sleep in Pennsylvania. A scientific study, published the journal, Nature, found associations between living closer to more and bigger shale wells and depression symptoms. The authors from John Hopkins University and University of California at Berkeley, concluded that unconventional natural gas developments may be associated with adverse mental health in Pennsylvania. Environmental Health News

2018 Surrey, UK earthquakes. Seismologist Dr Stephen Hicks gives preliminary scientific results of monitoring of 12 seismic events in an area near Gatwick Airport in Surrey since 1 April 2018.

RCGP to stop investing in fossil fuel companies. The Royal College of General Practitioners announces it is to stop any investment in fossil fuels, which it describes as a key contributor to climate change.

26 July 2018

Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2018. The government’s DUKES report covering all of 2017 finds UK energy produciton was up 0.4%, consumption was down 0.7%, electricity generation from coal fell 25%, gas fell 4% and renewables rose 19.5%. The share of electricity generation from renewables was a record high of 29.3%, up from 24.5% in 2016. Total gas demand fell 3% but industrial usage increase 3.2%. Gas production was up 0.3%, imports fell by 1.8% and exports rose by 7.5%.

The Guardian view on the heatwave: our climate is endangered. The Guardian editorial refers to government approval for fracking in Lancashire as evidence of its unenthusiasm for renewables. The paper says:

“Enjoy the sun if you can. We only live once and in countries with temperate climates such as the UK not all of the effects of climate change are necessarily harmful. Domestic tourism could even benefit. But don’t lose sight of the suffering caused by higher temperatures. In all our hands rests the future of life on earth.”

MP’s anger over fracking decision.The Blackpool Gazette reports on criticism by Blackpool South MP, Gordon Marsden, of the announcement of Cuadrilla’s fracking consent on the final day before the parliamentary recess, with no opportunity for discussion.

“The proposals would ride roughshod over local democracy and put drilling in the same category under planning law as building a small extension to a property. It would remove the important link between fracking applications and local plans and be harmful to the principles of localism.”

YP Letters: Fracking is farm from a rosy future. Sue Cuthbert, writing to the Yorkshire Post, challenges comments by local fracking supporter, Lorraine Allanson, on the gas industry operating “discreetly” in Ryedale for years. Ms Cuthbert say the industry so far has been conventional gas extraction, not fracking. She says:

“A conventional gas well versus a fracking well is like comparing a Roman candle firework to an active volcano.”

Russell Scott: The heatwave is further proof that fracking needs to be halted. In an opinion column for the Yorkshire Post, Russell Scott, a member of Frack Free Ryedale, explains why he believes fracking is harmful to health and the environment.

25 July 2018

Update on Bury Hill Wood/Holmwood oil site near Leith Hill in Surrey.DrillOrDrop report on Europa seeking three more years of planning permission, environmental permit details and another two-year extension of exploration phase of PEDL licence

Cuadrilla’s investment into Lancashire tops £10m. Cuadrilla released data show it has invested £10m in the local Lancashire economy. Cumulative direct spend reached £8.93m and indirect was £1.1m. Lancashire Business Review

YP Letters: Polling shows little support for fracking from the public. Michael Farm, writing to the Yorkshire Post, refutes earlier comments by local fracking supporter, Lorraine Allanson, that a “tiny minority” are against fracking. Sam Grant, also writing to the paper, accuses anti-fracking activists of misusing evidence to support their cause.

Government announces changes to National Planning Policy Framework. See DrillOrDrop report

Six anti-fracking campaigners block the entrance to Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site in first challenge to the protest injunction. Cuadrilla says it will take legal action.DrillOrDrop report, Blackpool Gazette, BBC News

Fracking has got off to a wrong start, seismologist tells coalfield MPs.DrillOrDrop report

Labour will ban fracking. The Lancashire Evening Post reports comments by shadow energy minister, Alan Whitehead, who said a government decision to allow fracking Lancashire was “riding roughshod over the opposition of local people and a previous ruling by the local council.

23 July 2018

What’s happening this week?DrillOrDrop listing of evens about UK fracking, onshore oil and gas and campaigning.

Change of name for Kimmeridge Oil and Gas. KOGL, the operator of the Broadford Bridge site in West Sussex, has changed its name to UKOG (234) ltd, after the number of the petroleum exploration and development licence. Companies House document. Another related company, Kimmeridge Energy Ltd, has changed its name to UKOG (KOGL) Ltd. Companies House document

“With shale gas comes the incredible opportunity to positively transform the lives of many, not just in our rural communities but in our county and our country.”

YP Letters: Bland statements are not proof. David Cragg-James and Anne Stewart, also writing to the Yorkshire Post, dispute evidence presented in favour of fracking in a previous article in the paper by Samuel Ribansky.

20 July 2018

Oil production plans for Wressle include new measures to protect water supplies but keep small-scale hydraulic fracturing. DrillOrDrop report

Construction work allowed at Misson throughout remainder of bird breeding season. Nottinghamshire County Council gives IGas permission to continue construction work at its shale gas site at Springs Road, Misson, for the remainder of the bird breeding season, until 31 August.

Shouldn’t fracking be suspended too? Ian Hughes, writing to the Lancashire Evening Post, asks whether fracking should not be suspended along with the domestic use of hose pipes in the United Utilities region.

“Bird table” protest trial dismissed. Kirby Misperton Protection Camp reports that the trial of two anti-fracking protesters who occupied wooden towers looking like bird tables was discontinued today. The Crown Prosecution Service said it was not in the public interest to pursue charges of endangering road users. A spokesperson for Kirby Misperton Protection Camp said:

“We welcome the acknowledgement that our peaceful protest at KM8 has not endangered anyone – indeed care for the safety and wellbeing of the community of Kirby Misperton is what motivates those who are protesting against fracking.”

18 July 2018

Oil company ordered to clear South Downs drilling site – again.DrillOrDrop report on issue of breach of condition notice to UK Oil and Gas for Markwells Wood exploration site.

Protester Alex Geoffrey Cohen acquitted for second time. The York Press reports that Mr Cohen was acquitted for a second time after protests outside Third Energy’s fracking site at Kirby Misperton. At a third trial he was found guilty of two offences.

Forest Enterprise boss empty-chaired. Simon Hodgson, chief executive of Forest Enterprise England, failed to attend a meeting with Keith Taylor MEP and local residents to discuss concerns about oil drilling on FEE land near Leith Hill in Surrey.

Keith Taylor MEP and local residents at a meeting to which Simon Hodgson, chief executive of Forest Enterprise England, was invited but did not attend. 18 July 2018. Photo: Office of Keith Taylor MEP

Climate lobby: sectoral analysis of lobbying spending on climate change in the US, 2000-2016. Climate Change journal includes a study which finds that spending on lobbying over climate change by fossil fuel and transport corporations and affiliated trade bodies dwarfed that by environmental organisations and renewable energy companies.

17 July 2018

Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road, near Blackpool, 5 June 2018. Picture: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian

Will locals have a say on future fracking plans. The Lancashire Evening Post reports Green Party County Councillor, Gina Dowding, has condemned government proposals to bypass councils in the planning process for shale gas development. Lancashire Telegraph (18 July 2018)

“fracking must be seriously considered if UK wishes to retain its energy security – how else will people comment on the success/failure of Brexit and share videos of our World Cup heroes if no one will be able to charge their phone due to an energy shortage?”

16 July 2018

Expert group backs Scottish Governments’s ‘ambitious’ new emissions target. Energy Voice reports that Lord Deben, head of the Committee on Climate Change, said Scotland was at the forefront of UK efforts to tackle climate change. Two months ago, the Scottish Government published legislation committing it to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050, up from the previous target of 80%.

15 July 2018

What’s happening this week? 16-22 July 2018.DrillOrDrop listing of events about UK fracking, onshore oil and gas and campaigns about them

Ryedale anti-fracking protesters sentenced for two crimes. The York Press reports anti-fracking campaigner, Anne Cookson, from Liverpool, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs after previously being found guilty in her absence of two charges of obstructing Habton Road in Kirby Misperton.

Taking issue on protest camp. Peter Winter, of Kirby Misperton, writing in the Gazette and Herald, responds to a letter from RAAP (Ryedale Against Anti-fracking Protest. Mr Winter says the protest camp at Kirby Misperton was visited by local people. He also defends the right to protest.

13 July 2018

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has slammed Donald Trump’s trip to the UK. 2BR reports Clive Grunshaw has written to the Treasury calling for the same funding used to police Donald Trump’s visit to be made available for policing anti-fracking protests in Lancashire.

Study to track trends in the public’s opinion on fracking. University of Stirling announces a new study with academics at Exeter, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities to understand public responses to fracking. See DrillOrDrop report

Solo Oil plc “monetising investments begins to fall into place”Directors Talk reports an update from Solo Oil on its future plans. The Executive Chairman, Neil Ritson, is to retire before the end off the year to be followed by a board restructuring. The company has interests in the Horse Hill site currently about to begin flow testing.

12 July 2018

Earthquake monitor installed to track seismic activity in Surrey. Photo: Used with the owner’s permission

11 July 2018

Legal precedent and costs are major hurdles to challenging fracking injunctions, campaigners say.DrillOrDrop report on reaction to the injunction ruling

Minister quizzed on impact of fracking on UK climate targets. DrillOrDrop report on this week’s questions in parliament about fracking and shale gas.

Julian Sturdy raises local concerns about proposed changes to planning rules for fracking. His website says the MP for York Outer shares concerns about the proposals announced in a written ministerial statement in May 2018. This would take decisions out of local control. Link to transcript

10 July 2018

Cuadrilla injunction evidence based on “allegations, conjecture, exaggeration and hearsay”, court told.DrillOrDrop report from hearing at the High Court in Manchester on Cuadrilla’s protest injunction application

UKOG seeks to delay decision on future of Broadford Bridge oil site in West Sussex for 18 months while it reviews results from Horse Hill/Gatwick Gusher 20 miles away.DrillOrDrop report

US is set to become world’s top oil producer, Government says. Estimates by the US Energy Information Administration, reported by Bloomberg, see US crude output averaging 11.8m barrels a day in 2019, up from its 11.76m barrels a day in the June outlook.

Air pollution linked to spikes in hospital and GP visits. The Guardian reports on a study by the School of Medicine in Dundee which found an “absolutely clear” link between poor air quality and health problems.

Low carbon energy would cost no more. The first National Infrastructure Assessment for the UK says making a switch to low-carbon and renewable sources for power and hearing, combined with electric vehicles, would mean customers in 2050 would pay the same in real terms as their energy today. The report says the UK cannot achieve its emissions targets without moving away from using fossil fuel gas for heating. Carbon Brief

Church to stop investing in firms not tackling climate change. Energy Voice reports the Church of England General Synod passed a motion on 8 July 2018 to pull investment from firms that are not on track to meet provisions of the Paris Agreement on climate change by 2023.

7 July 2018

Hunt on for source of Surrey tremors. The Times reports on earthquakes in Surrey on 5/7/2018 and says the British Geological Survey is to install temporary seismic monitors in the county. The BGS also tweeted on the subject:

No new exploration licences and no support for fracking, Welsh Government proposes.DrillOrDrop report, The Planner

Ecotricity to discuss fracking fight at WOMAD. Ecotricity reports that its stage at the WOMAD festival later this month will include a discussion on fracking. It will feature the company’s principal ecologist, Simon Pickering, Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley, campaigner Joe Corre, Steve Mason of Frack Free United and Lancashire nana Tina Rothery. The event is chaired by broadcaster, Jon Snow.

Awards for Yorkshire Post journalists. The Yorkshire Post reports that is photographer, Simon Hulme, won Best Photographer at the O2 Media Awards for Yorkshire in Leeds. His portfolio include a picture of police attempts to move Jackie Brookes and her tea table outside the Third Energy site at Kirby Misperton.

4 July 2018

Oil company, UKOG, seeks “unprecedented protest injunction based on flawed case”, women tell the High Court.DrillOrDrop report from third day of the injunction hearing.

UKOG announces success share placing to raise £2m. A statement from the company says the placing is:

“intended for opportunistic investment to help deliver the Company’s stated goal of consolidating and expanding its asset base in the Weald Basin. The placing represents an additional £2 million to the previously announced £10.5 million investment secured to deliver sufficient working capital for its core projects over the next 18 months.”

Anti-fracker threatened Cuadrilla guard with ‘snitches get stiches’ jibe, court told. The Blackpool Gazette reports on a court case of Stephen Allen for three charges of assault and intimidating a witness.

3 July 2018

Leading Greens back women challenging UKOG protest injunction and warn against “sinister attempts” to “clamp down” on right to protest.DrillOrDrop report

Angus investigation in transfer of shares to America 2030.Angus Energy reports in a statement to shareholders that its chairman, Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorius transferred 39,000,000 shares in the company to America 2030 Capital Ltd in “contemplation of a possible equity-linked loan against his shareholding. DrillOrDrop report

Ineos announces E2.7minvestment in ethane cracker. Ineos says it plans to build a new ethane cracker and PDH unit in north west Europe. The location has yet to be decided. It will be the first new cracker built in Europe for two decades and will initially use ethane from shale gas shipped from the US. Telegraph,

Fracking plans face cold shoulder under new Wales policy. BBC News reports on an updated policy from the Welsh Government which says future applications from developers wanting to drill for oil and gas in Wales will not be supported. A consultation runs until the end of September. Energy Live News

Dame Emma Thompson lambasts the “handful of desperadoes” in fracking. The Ecologist reports on Dame Emma Thompson’s support for a mass protest at Preston New Road. See DrillOrDrop report of 28 June 2018

2 July 2018

Campaign group seeks to join women’s challenge to protest injunction. DrillOrDrop report on Friends of the Earth application to intervene in the challenge to the UKOG injunction against protests at Broadford Bridge, Horse Hill and company offices in Guildford. The Guardian

MPs to investigate shale gas impacts in former mining areas.DrillOrDrop report on the next evidence session by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Shale Gas impacts

£5m institutional placing. UK Oil and Gas announces it has raised £5m with a placing including two institutional investors. An extra 250,000 share were issued at a price of 2p. UKOG statement

Lenigas tweets update on Horse Hill. David Lenigas, an investor in the Horse Hill oil site, tweeted that oil in the Kimmeridge limestones at Horse Hill was 40API, making it a light crude and likely to fetch a higher price than heavy crude on commodity markets. He also said there was no water flowing from the Kimmeridge or Portland in tests. Proactive Investors

1 July 2018

Secret firm handed £500k of public money after Scottish Enterprise gagging order. The Daily Record reports on public funding for industries in Scotland, including £14.1m for Ineos in 2014-2017.

Record needs setting straight about RAAP. In a letter to the Gazette and Herald, Rob Batty, writes that Ryedale Against Anti-fracking protests is not against peaceful protest or lobbying. It opposes anti-fracking protest camps and protesters who travel the country protesting about multiple causes.